Nazi Art, Barilla Pasta Backpedals and Movember: In Other News

Germany is defending itself after a treasure trove of stolen Nazi art was discovered in a Munich apartment. Some say authorities covered up the discovery (which was made a year and a half ago) but police maintain that the lag was necessary in order to decide whether they were investigating a crime. "It is by no means easy to find the rightful owners, particularly when we are talking about over 1,400 paintings," the state prosecutor said.

In another effort at damage control, Barilla has announced it will be taking several steps to be less homophobic after its chairman said in September that it wouldn't feature gay couples in its ads because, "we like the traditional families." The new steps include, according to the linguine-between-the-legs press release:

- A newly-established Diversity & Inclusion Board, comprising external experts and advocates who will help Barilla establish concrete goals and strategies for improving diversity and equality in the company’s workforce and culture with regard to sexual orientation, gender balance, disability rights and multicultural and intergenerational issues. Individuals who have accepted positions on the Board to date include, David Mixner, a prominent global leader in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community and Alex Zanardi, a Paralympic gold medalist.- Appointment of the company’s first Chief Diversity Officer, Talita Erickson, a Brazilian-born attorney who for the past year has served as General Counsel to Barilla America.- Participation in the Corporate Equality Index (CEI) created by the U.S.-based Human Rights Campaign to measure and rate large companies on their policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) employees.

Might be a bunch of corporate placating, but still, public outrage for the win!